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NavSource Online: "Old Navy" Ship Photo Archive

USS Princeton (I)

Screw Steamer:

Laid down, 20 October 1842, at Philadelphia Navy Yard under the supervision of CAPT. Robert F. Stockton

At New York she engaged in a speed contest with the British steamer Great Western

Final outfitting at Philadelphia, 20 October to 22 November 1843

Princeton sailed, 1 January 1844, for New York where she received her two big guns named “Peacemaker” and “Oregon”

During a demonstration for President Tyler on the Potomac River, 29 February 1845 "Peacemaker" exploded killing Secretary of State Abel P. Upshur; Secretary of the Navy Thomas Gilmer; Capt. Beverly Kennon, Chief of the Bureau of Construction, Equipment and Repairs; Rep. Virgil Maxey of Maryland; Rep. David Gardiner of New York; and a servant of the President. It also injured about twenty people, including Captain Stockton. A Court of Inquiry exonerated Capt. Stockton, his officers and crew of all blame in the matter.

Princeton was assigned to the Home Squadron from 1845 to 1847

From 17 August 1847 to 24 June 1849 Princeton served in the Mediterranean

Upon her return from Europe she was surveyed and condemned to be broken up at the Boston Navy Yard 17 July 1849
Specifications:Displacement 954 t.
Lengths 164'
Beam 30' 6"
Draft 17'
Speed unknown
Complement 166
Armament

Line engraving from the "Illustrated London News", issue of 25 May 1844, depicting USS Princeton.US Naval History and Heritage Command photo # LC-USZ62-8342.

Naval History and Heritage Command

124k

Colored lithograph, published by N. Currier, New York, 1844. It depicts the explosion of a heavy gun on board USS Princeton, in the Potomac River, which killed or mortally wounded seven and injured about twenty people. Some of those present are identified below the image, including (from left): Mr. Wilkins; Mr. Perrine; Lieutenant Hunt; Representative Virgil Maxcy, of Maryland; Secretary of State Abel P. Upshur; Captain Beverly Kennon, Chief of the Bureau of Construction, Equipment and Repair; Secretary of the Navy Thomas Gilmer; Captain Robert F. Stockton; Sailors; Senator Phelps and Senator Thomas Hart Benton. Maxcy, Upshur, Kennon and Gilmer were among those killed. Stockton and Benton were among the injured.Courtesy of the U.S. Navy Art Collection, Washington, D.C.
.US Naval History and Heritage Command photo # NH 58906-KN (Color)